Telecentres are invited to visit the BTN website at http://www.mission2011.net.bd in order to view up to 2.068 telecentres which were collected during the past year.

Recently opened telecentres are asked to add their information as well as those telecentres not already listed. BTN are planning to launch a nationwide survey in order to capture other telecentre initiatives through their BTN Resource Centres.

The 2009 ITU Cybersecurity and ICT Applications Essay Competition is open to current students and recent graduates in economics, political science, law, literature, telecommunications, computer science, information systems and related fields between the ages of 20 and 30 years old. The winners of the 2009 Essay Competition will be offered the opportunity of a consultancy contract within the ITU Development Sector's ICT Applications and Cybersecurity Division for three months. The winners will be given a contribution towards the cost of an economy class flight from their place of residence. In addition, they will be paid the sum of CHF 6000 towards living expenses for the duration of the contract.

To enter the competition you need to submit an essay on one of the following essay topics:

The ITU has launched new partnerships to help 13 Pacific Island countries develop information and communications technology (ICT) in the region.

In a joint communiqué issued at the end of the Pacific ICT Ministerial Forum, held in Tonga, senior officials from the 13 countries called for greater coordination to minimize overlap in ICT initiatives and maximize the impact of investments in development projects. The ministers, including two Prime Ministers, called for rapid implementation of regional connectivity projects and for reinforced efforts to create more ICT professionals and a workforce with technical skills.

“The Pacific Island countries have clearly stated their objectives and priorities,” said Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, Sami Al Basheer Al Morshid. “ITU is fully committed to work with our partners in delivering results for the Pacific Island States,” added Mr. Al Basheer, who announced several new partnerships to assist the countries. “We are building on the expertise and resources of all interested partners to reinforce our collective impact on ICT development in the Pacific.” The Pacific Island ministers also directed officials to work towards establishing a shared regulatory resource centre and encouraged regional States to make full use of ICT for early warning and response systems to improve disaster preparedness.

Jooce, a virtual desktop aimed at users who access the Web via cybercafes is attracting interest from organisations set up to bridge the digital divide. It is claimed that Jooce is presently targetting the estimated 500 million people who log on to the Internet from a cybercafe each day. Experts suggest that its free web-based desktop may be of great use for people who cannot afford their own personal computer.

Jooce provides the same functions as a personal computer, allowing access to files, e-mail, instant messaging, storage and other applications. "It's a platform that will make it much easier for the world's cybernomads to manage their digital lives", said Jooce founder, Stefan Surzyck, referring to this platform as "their very own private space online".

Joocetop, a public desktop, is also said to be ableto allow friends to access and share files. In addition a dedicated e-mail client is underway.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported on 26 November about the launch of 20 broadband-enabled teacher resource centres in the Maldives to help the Ministry of Education to provide quality education to every child of a population spread across 1,000 small islands.

Using information and communication technologies (ICTs) enables administrators and teachers to be part of one learning community across the country. Teachers can simultaneously receive online training, access and exchange information through the common network. Moreover, the internet and state-of-the-art technologies are aimed to enhance interactive education and to increase motivation of both students and teachers, as UNICEF noted.

Inveneo is a non-profit social enterprise whose mission is to get the tools of ICT into the hands of organizations and people who need them most - those in remote and rural communities in the developing world. To do this, Inveneo creates and sells highly affordable and sustainable ICTs that are specifically designed for organizations- governments, NGOs, private enterprises - that serve these rural communities with vital services that include education, healthcare, economic development, relief and telecentres.

During September 2007, CNN showed a programme about the work of Inveneo in rural Uganda where the co-founder, Kristin Peterson stated that she regarded providing ICT to rural areas as important as providing food.

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